James "Jim" Lee Benedict

A Visitation will be held from 8:30am to 9:30am on Saturday, July 14th at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, Wesley Chapel, 13720 Roe Avenue, Leawood, Kansas 66224, followed by a Funeral Service at 9:30am.

Graveside Interment at 10:00am on Sunday, July 15th at Mount Moriah Cemetery South, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131.

Jim was born June 3, 1934 in Crosby, Minnesota, the eldest of 3 sons, to James and Stella (Lee) Benedict. He graduated as class president from Grand Rapids, Minnesota, high school in 1952 and earned a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Minnesota in 1957. From youth he had possessed a strong northern Minnesota work ethic and later built a successful engineering sales business in Kansas City.

Along the way, he raised a family, ran marathons, was a scoutmaster, piloted his own plane, and enjoyed yearly Canadian fishing trips with his brothers. But through it all, what he will perhaps be most remembered for is his warmth and congeniality, always gathering a close circle of friends around him. Neighborhood friends referred to him as the 'southern gentleman from Minnesota'.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, of 51 years, and his oldest son, Gregory. He is survived by his son, Scott (Heidi), granddaughters Jennifer and Lauren, brothers John (Peg) and Gary (Betty) and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jim's name to the Ackerman Cancer Center, 10881 San Jose Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida 32223, or the Church of the Resurrection, Leawood, Kansas.